Beautician

My favorite product is Paul Mitchell Super Sculpt Glaze and Fast Drying Sculpting Spray. They also make a dry wax I like to use -- it to gives the hair texture. I use these products on my clients all the time, and on myself, too.

The work of a beautician comes with many diverse challenges. The interviewer wants to be certain that you have what it takes to handle such situations in a logical, tactful and professional way. Think of a problematic situation at your previous or current job that you resolved successfully. Describe the situation clearly, mention what you did and what the results were. Make sure that you never put a negative spin on your answer.

The interviewer would want to know where your beauty career is headed and if it fits the company's vision. For instance, you could say that you want to specialize in one specific area of beauty therapy within the next two years. You could also mention your plans to take courses in order to help you achieve your goals.

Body therapy includes Swedish massage, aromatherapy, holistic therapy, reflexology, sports massage, Reiki and Indian head massage. Those offering these techniques should have a thorough understanding of anatomy and physiology of the body, and be qualified to NVQ Level 3, or ITEC Diploma level.

Beauty therapists offer the same treatments as beauticians, plus specialist body treatments including body massage, electrical treatments as well as exercise and dietary control. NVQ/SVQ Level 3 qualifies an individual as a beauty therapist and learning typically lasts between 500 hours to two years.

Although this wasn't exactly a childhood dream, it was something that I fancied doing from my late teens. I finally trained at the age of 25 - you can start at any time!

At the beginning, you're always really nervous, although for me, it was more excitement than anything. I generally felt comfortable and confident because of the education I had. I felt that I could do it, and always knew that I could ask senior employees for advice. That's important -- being able to get help when they need it. I was always comfortable asking questions and finding the answers.

Electrolysis is the only medically approved form of permanent hair removal. Electrolysists should have NVQ Level 3 in Electrical Epilation, BTEC National Diploma with Epilation or BTEC Higher National Diploma with Epilation.

Oh, this is a tricky one. It's a setup. It is very easy to fall into this snare. People just wait for an opening to vent. But you now know ahead of time NOT TO DO THIS.

Instead of coming back with, "OH, I really hated my boss. He was such a pig!" you want to go to a task that is harmless to what you are trying to achieve. If you worked at Starbucks you had to clean, you had very busy times, it could be stressful, people complained, you may have had a bad co-worker, etc. But if you point any of this out in your interview it will look like a negative for YOU.

I think that partly depends on whether one wants to work for a large or small salon. In larger salons, it's more common to specialize -- sometimes clients may get color processing from one stylist, a cut from another, and a style from even another! Even if a cosmetologist want to work in a smaller salon, it's a good idea to choose a specialty early, because they get established in what you do. It's hard to go from hair to nails to waxing, for example, and to be considered an expert in all of those.

Boy, that's a toughie, isn't it? It would be really easy to stammer through a stupid answer in an interview. What they are really asking you is "Why is it in our best interest to have you working for us?" So tell them. An interview is no place to be shy. Tell them How you will be an asset to the salon.

Example: Because I have a strong work ethic, I'm great at time management, I understand the importance of superior customer service and I am willing to do everything I can to help the salon and myself grow.

And if you are really ballsey say "Because I will exceed your expectations!"

What is your routine? Remember to make someone else feel good you need to feel and look good too.

I came here from Maine to go to school at Whitman's Academy of Hair Design. When I finished, I went back to work in a salon in the little town I grew up in. That job didn't give me the excitement and creativity that I needed, though, so I scheduled a couple of interviews at salons in Brattleboro. I was at Whitman's salon, getting a haircut from a friend so that I would look beautiful for my interviews. The owner, who was my former teacher, overheard that I was looking for a job, came over to me and said, "Hey, why don't you come work for me?" So I did.

Obviously you need to be answering that you feel you can make people feel and look good as one of your points.

Remember that salon's do late nights sometimes and always work on a Saturday. It's not a straight 9-5 job.

You need to be sociable, organised and definitely not squeamish! This job isn't as glamorous as you might think. You also have to have lots of tact and empathy - sometimes you feel like a psychiatrist!

Magazines, trends, from your Manager/Company.

I love to make people beautiful. And I love my clients. I enjoy being social with them, and being creative in my work.